Carter is appointed to Bipartisan Task Force

State Reps. Dan Carter (R-2), DebraLee Hovey (R-112), and Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) were appointed to the newly formed Bipartisan Legislative Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety in the wake of the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

The task force will conduct a review of current law and make recommendations on a range of potential legislation to prevent gun violence, enhance school security and ensure the availability of mental health services in Connecticut.

Legislative leadership has appointed Ms. Hovey to the subcommittee on mental health, Mr. Carter to the subcommittee on gun control and Mr. Bolinsky to the subcommittee on school safety, according to a press release.

“The issues we will grapple with are multi-faceted, complicated issues that elicit very strong emotions from members of our community and beyond,” said Mr. Carter, who represents the southwestern portion of Newtown in addition to parts of Redding, Bethel and Danbury.

“With direction from the people of Newtown, I look forward to taking meaningful action to help make our state safer and more secure as our families continue to heal and contend with this new reality.”

He added “I would like to thank legislative leadership for recognizing the importance of including the Newtown Delegation in this task force.”

“Working together we will be able to contribute ideas for thoughtful legislation to address the serious issues of mental health services, school safety and violent crime. I’m confident we will be able to create legislation that benefits the entire state,” said Ms. Hovey.

“My role as a member of this task force will be to serve as the voice of the people of Newtown as we craft legislation that will have significant consequences for our community,” said Mr. Bolinsky, who represents the largest portion of Newtown. “I am committed to taking a thoughtful and deliberate approach to this process, and look forward to analyzing these issues from all angles in order to develop a workable, comprehensive set of solutions.”

The task force will provide recommendations for a bipartisan emergency certified bill in March. The group will conduct at least one public hearing before creating a final package of legislation

The first full meeting of the task force is this Friday, Jan. 18, at 1:30 p.m. in Room 2E.